Hy-Vee's reimagined grocery store opens in Grimes

Hy-Vee's newest grocery store opened in Grimes Tuesday morning, featuring some of the company's latest modern experiments in attracting customers.

The concept: The 93,000-square-foot facility is the company's first venture into a "smart store" — a grocery store that integrates digital conveniences like scan-and-go shopping, where customers can skip lines by using an app to buy their items.

• Large portions of the store are also dedicated to Hy-Vee's non-grocery partnerships, like DSW, The W Nail Bar and Joe Fresh clothes.

What's new: Kiosks are located throughout the store to help you do everything from order a custom cake to buy an elliptical machine.

• Looking for high-end wines? You can find $1,000+ bottles in the store's wine and spirits section, plus a cigar room.
• There's a hot food area that functions like a food hall. Order at a kiosk, sit down and someone will bring out your Hy-Chi.
• There’s no more paper price tags in aisles. They’re digital instead, requiring less labor.
• And yes, a vending machine will even make you a custom salad.

Yes, but: If you want to do things the old-fashioned way, all of the traditional in-store shopping features are still available.

The big picture: Consumers' schedules are packed and our dollars go towards what's most convenient.

• CEO Randy Edeker said this latest store aims to be a one-stop shop that saves trips to multiple stores.

Thought bubble: If we're spending time in brick-and-mortar, experiential shopping is key.

• The store's surprises — like hard-to-find liquors, international candies and even a kiosk selling glasses — keep you looking around.

What's next: Watch out for more Hy-Vee news from us Wednesday.